In early March, I joined members of the NCGrowth team (Mark Little, Christina Theodorou, Jessamyn Tracy and Belton Moore) and more than 4,500 attendees in Las Vegas for the 2025 Reservation Economic Summit (RES), hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED). As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), it was an honor to be part of this dynamic gathering of Native entrepreneurs, tribal leaders, corporate executives, and government representatives. All focused on advancing economic development in Indian Country.
RES is recognized as the premier conference for Native American business and economic development. The summit also provided a unique opportunity for NCGrowth to come together with The National Center to strengthen partnerships and continue building momentum around our joint tribal tourism initiatives. Through the cooperative agreement announced in July 2024 between NCGrowth, The National Center, and the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), the Native Edge Tourism Technical Assistance Center (NETTAC) was launched to enhance tourism opportunities in Native communities. Attending RES allowed us to connect in person, share insights, and discuss the next steps for advancing tribal tourism efforts across the nation.
Throughout the conference, we attended a series of breakout sessions focused on the intersection of tourism and economic development. For me, learning about different practical strategies that tribal communities can implement to boost economic resilience was a highlight. It was valuable information that I can share with the tribes and businesses that I encounter moving forward. Some of the other standout sessions that we took part in included:
Each breakout session drew between 75 to 150 attendees, demonstrating significant interest in leveraging tourism as a tool for economic empowerment. The discussions were vibrant and thought-provoking, leaving me feeling empowered and inspired with many new ideas on how to develop tourism products that honor cultural heritage while fostering sustainable economic growth.
Overall, RES was an excellent experience, offering Christina, Mark, and I, countless opportunities to network with other professionals and, more importantly, share insights from our work at NCGrowth. I believe we all left the conference energized and motivated, with fresh perspectives and strengthened connections that will help us better serve Native tourism initiatives.
We remain committed to leveraging our resources as we continue working alongside The National Center and our regional partners to advance tourism opportunities that honor Native communities, cultures, and heritage.
For more information about the Native Edge Tourism Technical Assistance Program, visit: nativeedgetourism.org
